I'm headed on a jet plane.......whoa, it is 4:30am, Sarah and I are en route to Salt Lake City, Utah.....who gets up this early? We do.....when it is for such an awesome, awe-inspiring AJLI Annual Conference!

From the first meeting on Wednesday afternoon through the Saturday evening Banquet/Awards Presentation, we had an engaging, informative, fun time. The Opening Session featuring a processional showcasing each of the 294 leagues was amazing - you totally get swept up and there is such a sense of something greater than what we do at the local level. What an experience to be surrounded by women from all over the world who are dedicated to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities.

Sarah and I attended workshops on Governing, Leading, Engaging Members, Financial Planning, Parliamentary Procedure, and Participating in the Community. There was so much good information and ideas that our heads were spinning. Our challenge is to organize, distribute and help to implement back here in Hampton Roads. So, if you notice something new.....maybe GMM seating around tables or Seat Sheets.....please give it a try, you might just like it!

Olympic Gold Medallist, Picabo Street and Academy Award Winning Producer, Geralyn White Dreyfous treated us to Keynote Addresses. Both women challenged us to be open-minded to learning from our "teammates" and to believe we can make a difference in our communities. Elizabeth Smart, renowned musician, was moving on the harp during the Closing Banquet.

The highlight of the conference is the Awards Presentations that were sponsored by Talbots, FRP (Favorite Recipe Press), Tab Energy and Anheuser-Busch. The recipients were well deserving and had great initiatives but nothing out of our reach........ JLHR could easily walk across that stage to accept the award and thousands of dollars in prize money - we just have to be One Team, One Dream!

Sarah and I sincerely thank each of you for allowing us to represent you and the JLHR. We promise to do our best to celebrate each of your successes, work to improve our opportunities and have lots of fun along the way......do you promise to be One Team?

I'm headed on a jet plane.....it is 5:45pm, Sarah and I are landing in Norfolk after a whirlwind 5 days of nothing but Junior League.......it certainly has been exciting; I really wish each member could experience an AJLI Annual Conference, it certainly underlines our mission and makes me want to strive even harder for improving our community! Please say "yes" if you're ask to jump on that jet plane!

To view associated photos from the conference, click here!